Question

The idea of “self-disclosure” at work refers to guidelines about appropriate things to discuss at work with your co-workers, supervisors, and clients. Using examples from the list we generated in class, explain why it is recommended that you keep certain topics out of the workplace. What are the benefits of self-disclosure and what are the risks? What are the guidelines for self-disclosure at work? Best answers will include reference to self-disclosure on social media.

Answer 1

It is recommended to keep certain topics out of workplace so as to maintain a good relationship with your colleagues or supervisors so that they have positive perception and a good image about you , and maintain integrity and respect which discussing certain topics or over sharing can hamper. It is important to comply with the self disclosure guidelines in order to ensure that you do not hurt the relationship with your counterparts or managers and disclose about you the information only up to to the limit which will help facilitating the understanding between you and your superiors or colleagues.

Therefore being aware about what you are talking , whether it has appropriateness, whether it is related to workplace , and what impact will it have on the listener are certain factors which need to be taken into consideration before moving into self disclosure.

For instance sharing everything about your personal life problems when just being asked why you look exacerbated by your counterpart can make him feel uncomfortable and restrain him talking to you further.

Or Over sharing about your weaknesses or problems with your supervisor can result in him viewing you as weak and vulnerable.

Similarly sharing unnecessary details about your economical position , ailments your family member has etc is something nobody will be interested in.

Therefore disclosing Information that is not directly or indirectly related to the job should therefore be avoided for preventing perception error or stereotypes.

Moreover certain topics that are sensitive such as religion , religious beliefs , or political part you are supporting should not be discussed in workplace .And trivial things such as your personal interest , brands you prefer etc should also be avoided to prevent any misunderstandings, misinterpretation from taking place. The sensitive matters which might escalate tension between colleagues or clients and thus take the shape of conflict should be avoided altogether.

Benefits of self disclosure :

The major benefits of self disclosure are :

It helps to prevent perception errors, stereotypes, tension or chances of conflict which might take place as a result of discussing inappropriate information to others.

It helps to encourage only appropriate topics for discussion saving productive time from getting waste otherwise.

It helps people to know your true side ,and develop proper understanding and long term healthy relationship with Superiors, counterparts or clients.

It helps to build trust in the workplace and helps in enhancing coordination , cooperation and collaboration if done appropriately.

It will help superiors to be aware if your competence, skills , mentality qualities , thought process and ideas thus judge you in a more better way

Self disclosure increases personal touch .between people at workplace so that they do not feel uncomfortable or fear for cinfronting about something.

Prevents misunderstanding, misconceptions and misinterpretations from taking place as it encourages communication between employees by promoting sharing opinions and giving suggestions.

Risks of self disclosure :

Self disclosure might result in disclosing so many things about yourself which might in turn backfire you rather than helping you.

Self disclosure might result in you exposing your weaknesses , past mistakes, failures or related negative aspects of your life which might make your supervisor rethink of you placimg at the position.

It might create wrong or negative perception of yours in the minds of others if you share with them the facts that are sensitive or private.

Rather than complementing understanding, it might create misunderstandings if it is done in an inappropriate manner.

It can hamper heathy relationship due to sharing facts that would have made the other person uncomfortable.

It might result in projecting a false image , that result in losing credibility and trust of people.

It might take the two in conversation to extremes

Guidelines for self disclosure :

Use positive approach , don't talk what you don't have rather talk about what you have.

Do not over share with the person you have just met , it will make them quite awkward

Do not reveal your weaknesses, flaws, failures etc , only share your good aspects

Do not project false image in the minds of others through bragging or exaggeration, reflect on your true self.

Pay attention to the body language and expressions of person you are talking to befire being too friendly and bold and share facts accordingly.

Use about trivial things very less such as self interests, personal background, family, economical condition etc.

Its is important to stay clear of extremes , maintain a good balance , don't go on talking so much , let other person share about themselves also. Make self disclosure a two way process.

Never discuss or debate on political matters or religion, avoid such topics.

Do not completely expose yourself by revealing everything even if it related to work as it will result in others taking benefit of your ideas or innovative plans.

Maintain credibility by reflecting yourself as a strong personality.

Self disclosure on social media :

While talking of social media, it is important to maintain privacy and think about your workplace environment before posting anything on your social networking sites.

E.g An employee who shares a very depressive post on social media will be subject to questioning at workplace about his condition, problem etc as supervisor might think that his personal problems could hamper the productivity or haul the task at hand thus resulting in transfer etc.

Similarly before sharing your intoxicated pictures in a bar , or fight you had with somebody , you should think what will the clients think about you or whether they will consider your decisions rational or rather view you as neurotic.

Dear student as per Chegg guidelines , we are not allowed to post any references in solutions as it violates the honour code , thus i have presented a situation of self disclosure on social media...

Hope i explained well

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